www.robertsoncounty.info

H I S T O R I C   F R A N K L I N   T O U R

A Tour Of Places, Buildings, & Homes With Architectural & Historical Significance In The City Of Franklin

Additional information about Historic Franklin is available at:
Handbook Of Texas Online, Franklin Website, Robertson County Post Offices,
History Of Robertson County by John Walter Baker, &
Historical Recollections Of Robertson County by Richard Denny Parker.

Unless otherwise noted, pictures below were taken by Dr. Habib U. & Martha Jean (Baxter) Rahman. 

Historic Franklin Tourist Map

The red circled numbers identify important places, buildings, & homes in the City Of Franklin.
The blue circled numbers identify the former locations of important structures that have been torn down.
Numbers Have Not Yet Been Placed On Map

# On Map	Sketches & Photographs	Names & Descriptions Of Places, Buildings, & Homes With Architectural & Historical Significance
		Early Franklin Photos Photos from History Of Robertson County, pp. 176, 177, 186, 198, 200, 209, & 222.
		Franklin Historic Marker 31 01 30 N / -96 29 09 W, [Hwy. 79 & FM 46, park near railroad tracks], Map Texas Historic Marker reads: "This community was established in 1872 and named Morgan for a railroad official. Located on the right-of-way of the International Railway Company, the town contained a depot and three stores in its first year. By 1879, the town had 200 residents and voters transferred the county seat from Calvert to Morgan. The community applied for a post office in 1880. Another Texas post office was named Morgan, so the town name was changed to Franklin after the name of the original county seat. A stone courthouse, designed by Frederick Ernst Ruffini, was completed in 1882. The town's first newspaper, the Franklin Weekly, was published by J. A. Keigewin. By 1885, Franklin had three hotels, three churches, and two gristmills. Mineral springs attracted people to the area for many years. A cemetery was formally established in 1880 at a site where several graves were already in existence. The community's first school building, a frame structure, burned in 1894 and another was erected. The First National Bank of Franklin was charted in 1905; the First State Bank was established in 1913. A Carnegie Library was built and equipped with an auditorium. By the 1970s, Franklin, an incorporated community, had a mayor-council form of city government." THC Marker
		Robertson County Courthouse 31 01 36 N / -96 29 14 W, [Courthouse Square], Map Plans for a courthouse were begun in 1879 and in 1881 construction began.   Robertson County's original three-story Second Empire-style courthouse, designed by Frederick Ernst Ruffini, was completed in 1882 at a cost of $30,000.  This dressed white limestone building is the fourth building to serve as Robertson County Courthouse.  The courthouse was substantially remodeled in 1924 in the Mission Revival style with brick Alamo parapets and tin eaves at the cornices.   Efforts are underway in 2003 to try to restore the courthouse building to its original 1880s design.  The courthouse sits in the middle of Franklin's picturesque courthouse square.  THC Marker,  THC Survey Top photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 173.
		Robertson County Jail 31 01 36 N / -96 29 14 W, [Courthouse Square], Map Built in 1881, the Robertson County Jail is a three-story, dressed limestone, Victorian structure with low hipped tin roof.  Modified over the years, the building is T-shape in plan.  Although a modern county law enforcement facility has been added to the landscape in recent years, the old jail sits next to the courthouse in Franklin's courthouse square.  THC Survey Photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 172.
		Frederick Ernst Ruffini Information about the architect who designed the Robertson County courthouse and jail is online at Frederick Ernst Ruffini.  Additional information, including the locations of possible floor plans and architectural drawings of these two buildings, is online at Ruffini Collection.
		Franklin Carnegie Library or Robertson County Library 31 01 37 N / -96 29 02 W, [corner Decker & Owensville Streets, near Hwy. 79], Map Texas Historic Marker reads: "The City of Franklin housed a library of 1,000 volumes in its city hall before 1913. In February that year, Franklin Mayor R. M. Cole [1848 - 1931] applied to the Carnegie Corporation of New York for funds to build a new library. The Carnegie Corporation approved plans and granted $17,500 to the project. This building with Neo Classical Beaux Arts detail and a pressed metal roof resembling tiles was designed by an architect named Patterson.  It was completed in 1914.  It is a raised one-story building with full basement, round arched facade, polychrome brick, wide overhanging roof.  The building originally served as a library only through 1918. School classes and public activities were held here through 1984.  The building now houses the Robertson County Library." THC Marker, THC Survey Top photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 212.
	1st National Hotel	National Hotel For many years, the Rucker family operated the National Hotel in Franklin.  The former hotel building today is the present-day two-story portion of the Pioneer Motel.  The original National Hotel structure included only the two-story enclosed portion of the current building along with the wide porches.  Two wings housing motel rooms and the Horseshoe Cafe have been added to the original hotel in recent years.  Ruth Rucker Lemming's National Hotel 2nd National Hotel Photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 178.
		Robert Wyles & Elizabeth Taylor Cole House 1/2 miles southeast of Franklin Built about 1880, the Robert Wyles & Elizabeth Taylor Cole House is a two-story symmetrical Victorian, square plan, double gallery, with stained glass in central gables.  Set up on a hill with a curving driveway leading up to it, the home was owned and occupied by Robert Wyles & Elizabeth Taylor Cole and their descendants until recently.  Currently owned by the Allen family, this home is being restored to its original grandeur.   THC Survey
		Gussie Appleby House 316 East Morgan Street Built around 1905, the Gussie Appleby House is a two-and-one-half-story Victorian with altered porches, lattice work, barge board, stained glass and shingling.  The home, which was owned for many years by Lillie Scott, is currently undergoing a major renovation that includes a distinctive yellow paint job.   THC Survey
		J. Walker or Ben Love House 412 North Calvert Street (corner of North Calvert & East Englewood Streets) Built around 1915, the J. Walker House is a one-and-one-half-story Neo-Classical Revival home with an L-shaped porch on Ionic capped columns and bargeboard corbeled chimney.  For many, many years, the home was owned and occupied by members of the Love family and descendants of Love Abstract Company founder Ben Love.  THC Survey
		Crawford Place or Thomas F. & Bessie H. Lewis House 314 North Calvert Street The Crawford Place or Thomas F. & Bessie H. Lewis House was built about 1915 and is in the Neo-Classical Revival style of architecture.  The two-story white wooden home has a pedimented portico on massive columns with Corinthian caps and double gallery on two sides.  The home, which was restored and lived in for many years by Henry and Estes Marshall, served for a time as parsonage for the Franklin Baptist Church.  THC Survey
		Frank & Olga Sadler Woods House Corner Of West Decherd & North Calvert Streets This former home of prominent attorney Frank & wife Olga Sadler Woods is on the block behind courthouse square and is available for civic and private functions.
		Franklin Cemetery 31 00 57 N / -96 28 54 W, [junction FM 462 & CR 324, 1.5 miles south of Franklin], Map Texas Historic Marker reads: "A five-acre plot of land for a graveyard was deeded to Robertson County in 1880 as part of an incentive to persuade officials to locate the county courthouse in Franklin. However, six tombstones on this site predate its official designation as a graveyard. The first recorded burial is that of Elizabeth Calvert in 1869. Among the more than 1,300 graves are members of fraternal organizations, and veterans of the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. C. N. Brigance, veteran of the War of 1812, also is buried here. Interments include those of former city and county officials, state legislators E. A. Decherd and T. L. Goodman, and four local musicians who achieved national fame. The Franklin Cemetery continues to serve the citizens of Franklin and Robertson County as it has for more than 100 years." THC Marker, Franklin Cemetery A-K, Franklin Cemetery L-Z
		Country Music Legends 31 00 57 N / -96 28 54 W, [junction FM 462 & CR 324, 1.5 miles south of Franklin], Map Singer and songwriter Doie Hensley "Tex" Owens lived in Robertson County, died in New Baden, and is buried alongside other family members at the Franklin Cemetery. "Cattle Call" was his most famous song. Tex's sister, "Texas Ruby" Owens Fox, and her husband, Curly Fox, were members of the Grand Ole Opry. Texas Ruby, the "Original Yodeling Cowgirl," is buried in Franklin; Curly Fox is buried in Graysville, Rhea County, TN. Tex’s daughter, Laura Lee Owens McBride, known as the “Queen of Western Swing,” was the first female vocalist to tour with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. Her most famous song was "I Betcha My Heart I Love You." Laura Lee is buried at the Franklin Cemetery alongside her husband, fellow entertainer Dick McBride.  Several Owens family members appeared in early John Wayne cowboy movies.  Doie Hensley "Tex" Owens, Laura Lee Owens McBride.
		Sheriff Bob Reeves 31 00 57 N / -96 28 54 W, [junction FM 462 & CR 324, 1.5 miles south of Franklin], Map Texas Historic Marker reads:  "Born at Ridge, Texas, served 1937 - 1951 as Sheriff of Robertson County and attracted statewide notice when he directed the 1947 capture of a bank robber. He and his wife Oda had two children: Imogene and Bob, Jr." THC Marker Photo to left from History Of Robertson County, p. 193.
		Robertson County 31 02 11 N / -96 28 00 W, [roadside park between Franklin & New Baden, near the extinct Englewood community site], Map Texas Historic Marker reads:  "Settled by people of Tennessee under an 1822 contract held by Sterling Clack Robertson [1785 - 1842] who later signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. Colony and county were named for him. County was created December 14, 1837; organized March, 1838. County seats: Old Franklin 1838 - 1850; Wheelock, 1850 - 1855; Owensville, 1855 - 1869; Calvert, 1870 - 1879; Franklin, since 1879. Sent five troop companies into Confederate service in Civil War. Established mill to make flour, cotton, and wool cloth. Furnished cotton, cards, medicines, bacon, and salt to soldiers' families." THC Marker
		Sydney J. Maris House 116 North Calvert Street The 1 1/2 story home of former Franklin lumber dealer Sydney J. & wife Mary E. Maris sits at the corner of North Calvert & West North Streets.  The home was occupied for many years by Clarence & Lucy Maris.  Recently refurbished inside and out by current owners Mr. & Mrs. Baty, the home's green and tan exterior colors blend nicely with the azaleas and other plants in the yard and on the home's large wrap-around porch.
		J. J. Carter House 1/2 miles southeast of Franklin This two-story white house on a hill in northeast Franklin near the Robert Wyles & Elizabeth Taylor Cole House was once owned by J. J. Carter, lumber dealer partner of Sydney J. Maris.  Prior to her 1977 death, the home was owned and occupied by James K. & Lula Juanita Merryman Calhoun.  In recent years, it has been home to James K. Calhoun and other family members.
		Scott House Baxter Street (corner East Baxter & North Sharp Street) A house once belonging to a Scott family member currently sits across Baxter Street from the Franklin High School football field.  This 1 1/2 story white wooden structure with tin roof and fenced-in yard has a narrow staircase ascending to its second level.  In the recent past, the home has been owned by Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Smith.
		Burns House North Center Street The J. C. Burns home still stands near the Franklin city limits on North Center Street.
		Milford & Linda Johnson House 517 North Main Street (corner of North Main & West Gay Streets) Yellow and white one-story wooden home.
		Conner House North Owensville Street (between Gay & Morehead Streets on same side of the street as the school & tennis courts) ?
		Old Methodist Parsonage 200 Block Of North Main Street (corner North Main & West North Streets) This house, which served as the Franklin Methodist Church parsonage for years, is pink and brown.  Its center porch is supported by Ionic columns while the house itself is made of tongue-and-groove wood siding.
		Dr. Pepper Bottling Works [building currently occupied by Bernard Box Feed Store] Believe it or not, a Dr. Pepper Bottling Works was opened in Franklin by the Ash family in 1927.  This enterprise was in a building currently occupied by the Bernard Box Feed Store.  Due to an Ash family dispute, the company was sold in 1940 to Mr. W. I. Shaw.  The production manager in 1940 was Mrs. Gennie Akers.  This company, which produced Dr. Pepper, Crescent Crush, and Grapette, operated one truck.  The company's service area included Franklin, Hearne, Calvert, Nesbitt, Hayes, Ridge, Easterly, New Baden, Eaton, & Hammond.  The 1940s photograph (left) of the wooden Franklin bottling plant shows a "Drink Dr. Pepper - Good For Life" logo on one side of the building.  A bottle from this plant can be viewed at Franklin Bottle.  [Information, black & white top photograph obtained from the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco, TX.]
	GONE	Wylie Thomas Maris House [former location - 316 East Englewood Street] The two-story Wylie Thomas Marris House was built in 1910.  It was an L-shaped Victorian with double gallery on fluted Doric columns.  It also featured carved doors with oval glass.  Regrettably, the old Wylie Thomas Maris home burned several years ago.  A large new two-story house currently occupies its former corner lot on the hill near the old Franklin High School.   THC Survey
	GONE	Truett/Scott House [former location - 202 West Morgan Street] This Victorian home was built around 1890 and served as the home of the James P. & Nancy Truett family.  It was owned for many years by their daughter Alys Truett Scott.  A one-story home with elaborate detailing in bargeboards, cresting, and lattice work, it had massive chimneys and a tall standing seam tin roof.  This home was demolished several years ago; its former location is marked by a parking lot across the street from the Franklin Baptist Church. THC Survey
		Morehead/Brooker House [former location - across the street from the Old Franklin High School, on the corner lot where the tennis courts are now] In the 1940s, several teachers lived in this house.  In the 1944 Franklin Monarch yearbook, the house is shown in the background in one picture. The second photo is of the west side and front entrance of the Morehead/Brooker house.  Originally owned by Henry and Norine Morehead, the house was sold to the Brookers a few years after 1921.  Bonnie Morehead Smith is pictured on the front steps. The Morehead family always called it the "brown house" as it was painted brown when they lived there. The Brookers painted it white. Photo to top left from History Of Robertson County, p. 224.
		Dr. G. Patterson/Mitchell Family House This house was located on the northwest corner of Calvert and Decherd Streets, facing on Calvert across from the side of the Frank Woods property. The second photo is also of the Patterson-Mitchell house; the house in the far right background is the Crawford house. Pictured are Alys Truett Grable and her parents Robert Bruce Truett and Marian Morehead Truett. Photo to top left from History Of Robertson County, p. 223.
	ON ITS WAY	Franklin High School Scrapbook A very old scrapbook belonging to Miss Johnnie Punchard who taught business classes at Franklin High School in the years 1935 - 40 was recently purchased on e-bay.  A heartfelt scrapbook with photos of teachers, students, even the janitor, newspaper clippings, programs, Christmas cards, letters, essays, ticket stubs (Texas A&M-Arkansas Game at Kyle Field 1938 -- Texas A&M vs. Rice 1938), class pictures, football team, poetry, and a love note from an Aggie boyfriend. Over 50 pages of memories.  This yearbook will be placed online in the coming weeks.  See Franklin High School Scrapbook.
		Historic Cemeteries In & Near Franklin Franklin North-South African American, Hale, Loreant, Cole

Other Photographs Of Franklin

Photographs	Names & Descriptions
	Franklin's First Baptist Church
	Franklin's First Methodist Church
	Franklin Middle School
	Franklin Chamber Of Commerce Pridgeon Community Center
	Franklin Nursing Home

THC = Texas Historical Commission

= For additional information

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